By Matt Steward, EAA 1027069
As I sit here on April 28, 2020, two days before I turn 33, I’m reminded of how blessed I am. It’s hard to see those blessings in the times we are living in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our world is currently fighting a war on an invisible enemy. Stores are shut down, jobs are being lost, and the future is uncertain for a lot of Americans. But with the bad, comes the good.
During this slow time, I’ve had time to look back and reflect on a lot of things. I’ve had time to look at where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and the people I have met during my time here on this earth. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my future and the past.
As an airline pilot, I’ve been able to see so many places and fly with some of the best crew members any captain could wish for. I’ve now been flying the Embraer 145 Regional Jet for four years. It’s been a lot of fun, and I still can’t believe they pay me to fly around the country at 37,000 feet, going more than 500 mph.
As I sit here this evening, packing and getting ready for another four-day trip, I’m reminded of how lucky I am. I’m doing the job that I knew I wanted to do at 8 years old. A lot of folks ask me, “Captain Steward, how did you get involved in aviation?” The answer is shocking to a lot of people.
My story begins in the small town of Sulphur Springs, Texas, on August 8, 1998. My Uncle Bryan had arranged for me to go on an airplane ride. He found the local EAA chapter in Sulphur Springs and was informed of a program called Young Eagles.
I can still remember that morning like it was yesterday. My entire family (all 20 of us) loaded up in our vehicles and went for a drive. They never told us where we were going, so it was a complete surprise when we turned into the entrance for the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport.
As we pulled up to the hangar, I remember the first time I laid eyes on the beautiful Wilga! As we were introduced to our Young Eagles pilot, Tom Barr, I remember thinking to myself, “I’m seriously about to go flying!” I was the first Steward kiddo to go for the flight. I recall taxiing out, taking the runway, and seeing the wheels leave the pavement for the first time. It was at that exact moment, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
As soon as we got home, I began to research everything I could about airplanes and what it takes to fly them. Fast forward 25 years and almost 4,000 hours of flight time later; I’ve been to SUN ’n FUN, AOPA Fly-Ins, and Oshkosh seven times. I still get that same feeling as I did on that August morning, as I climbed into the Wilga for my Young Eagles flight.
Recently, my wife and I decided to purchase an airplane. I’m buying the exact Cessna 150 that I learned to fly in back in 2005. My goal is to become active in EAA and give as many Young Eagle rides as I possibly can. You never know, that 30-minute airplane ride could change somebody’s life forever. I know it sure did mine.
